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In this article
Savvy looks at the latest data to learn about car theft in different states and territories around Australia.
- Approximately one passenger/light commercial vehicle is stolen every 11 minutes in Australia.
- Queensland had the highest number of individual car thefts in 2021, with over 11,000 cases.
- The Northern Territory had the highest rate of car thefts, averaging 4.15 thefts per 1,000 registrations.
- Storing car keys out of sight or in unobvious places at night can reduce likelihood of “sneak thefts” – stolen in an opportunistic burglary.
Are you curious about the prevalence of car theft in Australia? Well, buckle up with Savvy, as we explore the alarming statistics surrounding car theft in the country.
You'll be shocked to learn that every 11 minutes, a passenger or light commercial vehicle is stolen, resulting in a staggering 38,187 thefts in 2021 alone.
Queensland takes the unfortunate lead with over 11,000 incidents reported.
So, get ready to uncover the shocking reality of car theft statistics in Australia.
Car theft rates in Australia
In Australia, car theft is a significant issue, with a passenger/light commercial vehicle being stolen approximately every 11 minutes. Car theft prevention is crucial in combating this problem. Advances in security technology have made it nearly impossible to hotwire modern cars, debunking the popular belief that hot-wiring is still a common method used by thieves.
When it comes to car theft demographics, Queensland had the highest number of individual car thefts in 2021, with over 11,000 cases. In contrast, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory had the lowest totals of car theft, likely due to their smaller populations.
Interestingly, the impact of COVID-19 on car theft rates has been significant. In 2021, the theft of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles decreased significantly, likely due to COVID-19 lockdowns. The restrictions imposed during the pandemic may have limited opportunities for thieves to steal cars, resulting in a decrease in car theft incidents.
Most stolen car models in Australia
The Holden Commodore VE MY06_13 is the car model that's stolen the most in Australia for three consecutive years.
When it comes to car theft, there are common methods that thieves use to target vehicles.
The impact of COVID-19 on car theft rates has been significant, with the number of stolen cars decreasing due to lockdowns and restrictions. However, regional variations in car theft still exist, with Queensland having the highest number of individual car thefts in 2021. Coincidentally, the state also had a high number of road fatalities and accidents within the same period.
To prevent car theft, it's important to take measures such as adequately protecting your keys and storing them out of sight. It's also crucial to avoid putting personal details on your keys, as this can provide thieves with access to your address and belongings.
Motor vehicle theft summary – Australia (All motor vehicels)
| State / Territory | Thefts 2019/2020 | % of Thefts | Thefts 2020/2021 | % of Thefts | % change | NSW | 11,777 | 21.0% | 10,896 | 22.8% | -7.5% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vic | 16,759 | 29.8% | 12,651 | 26.5% | -24.5% |
| Qld | 14,406 | 25.6% | 12,977 | 27.1% | -9.9% |
| WA | 6,845 | 12.2% | 5,635 | 11.8% | -17.7% |
| SA | 3,488 | 6.2% | 2,802 | 5.9% | -19.7% |
| Tas | 1,139 | 2.0% | 996 | 2.1% | -12.6% |
| NT | 643 | 1.1% | 670 | 1.4% | 4.2% |
| ACT | 1,131 | 2.0% | 1,176 | 2.5% | 4.0% |
| AUS | 56,188 | 100.0% | 47,803 | 100.0% | -14.9% |
Source: Carsafe.com.au Dashboard, 1.1 Aus Motor vehicle theft summary, 2019/20 to 2020/21
Motor vehicle theft summary – Australia (Passenger / light commercials)
| State / Territory | Thefts 2019/2020 | % of Thefts | Thefts 2020/2021 | % of Thefts | % change | NSW | 9,308 | 20.7% | 8,525 | 22.3% | -8.4% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vic | 13,998 | 31.2% | 10,163 | 26.6% | -27.4% |
| Qld | 11,829 | 26.3% | 11,059 | 29.0% | -6.5% |
| WA | 4,721 | 10.5% | 3,924 | 10.3% | -16.9% |
| SA | 2,630 | 5.9% | 2,111 | 5.5% | -19.7% |
| Tas | 868 | 1.9% | 780 | 2.0% | -10.1% |
| NT | 545 | 1.2% | 595 | 1.6% | 9.2% |
| ACT | 1,001 | 2.2% | 1,030 | 2.7% | 2.9% |
| AUS | 44,900 | 100.0% | 38,187 | 100.0% | -15.0% |
Source: Carsafe.com.au Dashboard, 1.1 Aus Motor vehicle theft summary, 2019/20 to 2020/21
Factors contributing to car theft
To protect your vehicle from being stolen, it's important to understand the factors that contribute to car theft.
Here are four key points to consider:
- Common car theft prevention measures: Taking simple steps like locking your doors, parking in well-lit areas, and keeping your car keys in an unexpected or out of the way place within your home.
- Impact of COVID-19 on car theft rates: The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have actually led to a decrease in car theft rates. With people staying at home more often, there are fewer opportunities for thieves to target vehicles.
- Role of technology in reducing car theft: Advanced security systems and immobilisers have made it much harder for thieves to steal cars. Features like GPS tracking and remote locking systems provide an added layer of protection.
- Regional variations in car theft rates: Car theft rates can vary significantly depending on the region. Factors such as population density, socioeconomic conditions, and law enforcement efforts can all influence the likelihood of car theft.
Motor vehicle theft summary – Australia (Motorcycles)
| State / Territory | Thefts 2019/2020 | % of Thefts | Thefts 2020/2021 | % of Thefts | % change | NSW | 1,912 | 21.2% | 1,828 | 23.7% | -4.4% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vic | 2,060 | 22.9% | 1,940 | 25.2% | -5.8% |
| Qld | 1,950 | 21.6% | 1,470 | 19.1% | -24.6% |
| WA | 1,915 | 21.2% | 1,546 | 20.1% | -19.3% |
| SA | 783 | 8.7% | 607 | 7.9% | -22.5% |
| Tas | 206 | 2.3% | 126 | 1.6% | -38.8% |
| NT | 77 | 0.9% | 61 | 0.8% | -20.8% |
| ACT | 111 | 1.2% | 123 | 1.6% | 10.8% |
| AUS | 9,014 | 100.0% | 7,701 | 100.0% | -14.6% |
Source: Carsafe.com.au Dashboard, 1.1 Aus Motor vehicle theft summary, 2019/20 to 2020/21
Motor vehicle theft summary – Australia (Other)
| State / Territory | Thefts 2019/2020 | % of Thefts | Thefts 2020/2021 | % of Thefts | % change | NSW | 557 | 24.5% | 543 | 28.4% | -2.5% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vic | 701 | 30.8% | 548 | 28.6% | -21.8% |
| Qld | 627 | 27.6% | 448 | 23.4% | -28.5% |
| WA | 209 | 9.2% | 165 | 8.6% | -21.1% |
| SA | 75 | 3.3% | 84 | 4.4% | 12.0% |
| Tas | 65 | 2.9% | 90 | 4.7% | 38.5% |
| NT | 21 | 0.9% | 14 | 0.7% | -33.3% |
| ACT | 19 | 0.8% | 23 | 1.2% | 21.1% |
| AUS | 2,274 | 100.0% | 1,915 | 100.0% | -15.8% |
Source: Carsafe.com.au Dashboard, 1.1 Aus Motor vehicle theft summary, 2019/20 to 2020/21
Car theft survey results in Australia
Did you know that nearly 70% of Australians have never had their car or any belongings from their car stolen?
According Budget Direct’s 2021 Car Theft Survey of 878 Australians, only 7.4% of Australians have had their car stolen, while 18.2% have had their belongings stolen from their car.
The survey also revealed interesting demographic trends, with respondents aged 18-24 years having the least experience with car theft. Men were more likely than women to have their belongings stolen, possibly due to women storing their car keys out of sight.
Regional differences in car theft rates were also evident, with Queensland having the highest number of individual car theft cases, while Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory had the lowest totals due to their smaller populations.
Interestingly, the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns resulted in a significant decrease in car thefts in 2021.
Despite these statistics, public perception of car theft risks remains a concern, with many Australians still believing that hot-wiring is a common method of car theft, despite advances in security technology making it nearly impossible.
Roland Rivero, General Manager, Product Planning at Kia Australia;
“Australia as a mature market in the Automotive Industry is better placed to combat car theft, than other regions around the world due to Government legislation and advancements in technology and features. Under ADR 82/00 it has been compulsory for all new cars sold in Australia to be equipped with an engine immobiliser since 2001. The same cannot be said for other regions like the United States where there was recently an uplift in Car Thefts targeting Hyundai and Kia cars produced without an engine immobiliser.”
"Furthermore, OEMs in Australia are continuously enhancing and advancing their products. In addition to alarm systems which are essentially standard on all new vehicles, more brands are increasing vehicle safety and security features. For instance, Telematics or “Connected Car” technology is becoming more prevalent amongst vehicle makes, which include vehicle tracking features. Other advanced features include fingerprint recognition as seen on the Kia EV9, and Sentry Mode on Tesla which activates cameras to begin recording should a threat be detected.
"At the end of the day, the in-car safety and security features can only do so much, and there remains a responsibility on behalf of customers to keep car keys secured."
Recovery and insurance after car theft
If your vehicle or belongings are stolen, there's a chance you may never receive anything back, as over 70% of Australians have experienced this. It can be a devastating experience, leaving you feeling violated and hopeless.
Here are four key points to consider when it comes to car theft recovery and insurance claims:
1) Stolen vehicle tracking: Utilising advanced technology, stolen vehicle tracking systems can help authorities locate and recover your stolen car more quickly.
2) Insurance claims: It's crucial to have comprehensive car insurance that covers theft. This will provide financial protection and ease the burden of replacing your stolen vehicle or belongings.
3) Car theft prevention: Taking proactive measures to secure your vehicle, such as installing after-market immobilisers on older vehicles, and parking in well-lit areas. Always secure your keys, as these are needed to start and drive modern vehicles.
4) Stolen vehicle investigation: Report the theft to the police immediately. They'll conduct an investigation and gather evidence to increase the chances of recovering your stolen vehicle.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the car theft statistics in Australia are alarming, with a vehicle being stolen every 11 minutes. Queensland has the highest number of reported cases, while the Northern Territory has the highest rate of thefts per 1,000 registrations.
Inadequate key protection and sneak thefts contribute to the high rates. It's crucial for car owners to take necessary precautions to protect their vehicles.
Recovery and insurance rates are also important factors to consider in addressing this issue.
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